• Jan. 20, 2006
I'm Back! Yippee!
Boy, Christmas and New Years were a blast at my house - we are still recovering I think! Haha~
I am just today sitting down with a few minutes to catch up on my blogging. I have missed you all my "virtual friends"!
We are back on our school schedule. This is our second full week ~ finishing up Antarctica and then moving onto the Arctic Region next week. So much has happened in the last month since I last posted, but I will have to post all about it later. Just wanted to let everyone know that I did not fall off the face of the earth!
(9 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Dec. 6, 2005
It's Christmas Charlie Brown....
but don't let the ACLU hear about it. Here is an article in our local news paper. It tells about "A Charlie Brown Christmas" special that was on ABC tonight. I could not help thinking, as I read this yesterday in my local paper, that the way things are going with Christmas being turned into a comercialized event - I would not be surprised if someone decides that it is not politically correct to air this special in the future because it might hurt the feelings of those that are not believers in Christ. I for one, think this movie is a great example of how "simple" the true message of Christmas is - simple enough for a child to understand (even my 2 year old was in awe listening to the recount of the Christmas story by Linus) and isn't that just how God planned it....
Just my $0.02 worth, and from my home to yours ~ Merry Christmas!
(11 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Dec. 5, 2005
~Tagged ~ I'm It ~
|
I got tagged by redmom so, here goes!
7 things I want to do before I die: 1. See all my children come to salvation in Christ 2. See all my children grown and having their own families 3. Complete a memory album of my mother for each of my children (she died 5 1/2 years ago when my oldest child was just 3 1/2 ) 4. Go on at least one mission trip out of the USA 6. Play the piano 7. Be a grandmother and spoil my grandchildren the way my children's grandparents spoil them
1. Change a tire or the oil in a car. (this is really pathetic considering I am married to a mechanic) 2. Carry a tune in a bag!
3. Seem to make all my To Do's fit into a normal 24 hour day! 4. Think of a single reason why I would stop homeschooling 5. Parallel park (this too is pathetic ~ see # 1) 6. Talk my dh into buying a farm for me 7. Ever win at Monopoly!
1. His sense of humor 2. He is a great handy man 3. Loves God and his family 4. He is a great Dad 5. He has an impossible time saying no to people ~ always doing for others before himself 6. Works extremely hard daily so I can be home with our children 7. He is just downright good-looking!
1. "Love you!" 2. "Stop pestering your sister/ brother" 3. "Can someone please let the dog out/ in / feed the dog??" 4. "Maybe later/ in a minute" 5. "Would you please sit down and finish your school work?" 6. "You better make sure it's (room) clean ~ I might be getting ready to do a Goodwill check" 7. "Who left the bathroom light on?"
1. Psalms 2. Anything by John Grisham 3. The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever 4. Guess How Much I Love You 5. The Velveteen Rabbit 6. Goodnight Moon 7. Any of the Narnia books
I rarely ever watch a movie more than once ~ something about that knowing what's going to happen spoils it thing??However, there are a few that I really like enough to watch twice. 1. Shawshank Redemtion 2. The Sound of Music 3. Titanic 4. The Love Letter 5. Princess Bride 6. Mary Poppins 7. Madagascar (only b/c my children made me watch it 5 times the weekend we rented it LOL)
1. Hmm....might have to do like "redmom" did and random blog on this b/c most everyone on my friend list has been tagged already!
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. |
(1 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Dec. 3, 2005
I just love my new look!
A huge Thanks to Chrissy for all her help and time yesterday giving my blog this great new look for winter! Not only did she go way out of her way to help me change the background and add clip art and all, but she spent even more time sending me instructions and links so that I can continue to update my blog as I like! Thank you so much Chrissy! (((HUGS)))
Isn't it great to
(5 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Dec. 1, 2005
In the news in my area
There has been complete outrage on the part of parents in my area due to an eigth grade student being sent home from school because of her hair color. One of our local middle schools has a policy that no child should come to school with hair colored or dyed "beyond natural colors" and this particular child came with red streaks in her black hair.
Here is the link for the article. Now, I usually don't let things like this rile me up so much, but my husband had his alarm clock on the local country station this morning, and I was laying there (needing to get up and in the shower) listening to it and hearing all these parents call in and shoot the school officials down for the "idiotic rule" they have about this. After a while, I was trying to call in as well - something I would not ever, no never usually do. But, only because I am shocked and somewhat outraged at these parents - I mean, basically, if we are disagreeing with a rule a school has, in front of our children, what example are we setting? I don't agree with all the government/ society rules we have to live by, but the are just that - RULES - and if we are telling our children, obey only the rules that seem to make sense to you, what kind of society are we going to end up living in?
I was impressed however with the DJ on the station - he actually was saying to these parents the same thing - when we were growing up (sounding like our parents now) - the teachers, principles were authority figures to be obeyed - not challenged at all - never, if my parents ever did disagree with the school board over something, did I ever hear about it - you obeyed the rules no matter what. Why are things so much different now? Hhmmmm......
(3 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Nov. 30, 2005
No One Told Me This About Boys!!
OK, I have two daughters, that have done their fair share of gross, unreal, and dangerous things, over the course of their 9 and 6 years respectively. However, I had no idea that boys would do so many gross, unreal, and dangerous things in one days time!! Here is the list for today:
-
drew all over my carpet with a black marker (in the den - right where you see it as you walk in the front door) - and no, I don't think its washable - what really gets this one is his sisters were in the same room, but he managed to sneak around and do it anyway!
-
jump off his bed ( a low to the ground toddler bed mind you) and manage to take out the laundry hamper and go head first into the closet door hinge - giving himself a lovely shiner on the forehead that will look great in all our Christmas card pictures
-
feed the dog so many pretzels that she threw up - twice - on the same carpet that has the marker all over it - can anyone say Stanley Steamer??
-
and last but not least, as I was cleaning up the dishes from lunch and his sisters were busily finishing up their schoolwork for the day, he managed to cram two whole cooked macaroni noodles up his left nostril! Shall I take it that he did not care for my crockpot mac and cheese? A pair of tweezers, a nose suction bulb, two arm holders (aka big sisters) and tons of screaming later, they were thoroughly extracted - eewwwiiieeee
So, let's see what Thursday holds! Yikes!!
(3 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Nov. 29, 2005
Tuesday
OK, I have been working on my blog - kinda like the blind leading the blind, but what do you think? 
Now, if only I can figure out how to add one of those cool little cursor thingys and some clip art (preferably the blinkers that everyone else has that are sooooo cool, but I can't figure out how to add) 
Anyone wanna give me the secret?? Ok, so anyway, I have spent way too much time playing on here today, and now really need to get something ready for supper! We did get school done in spite of my addiction to this blog thing! Yippee! Just another week of bookwork and we will be off until next year! (Jan 2nd, 2006 of course)
(3 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Nov. 29, 2005
Just a few scenes from our Thanksgiving Holiday
I am behind on posting, but thought I would take a few minutes to post some pictures from our Thanksgiving weekend. We had a wonderful time - on Wednesday, the girls and I made Turkey Cupcakes to take to the feast on Thursday at my brother in law's. 
We spent Thanksgiving Day with my husbands family - and we all survived! LOL! There was tons of food and even more desserts! As you can see, Bradley had a big time since he only gets sweets for occasions like this!
As our family tradition goes, we left there and headed to the Christmas tree lot for our tree - we always buy from the same wonderful family each year - so he (Jody) is in all our Christmas albums! LOL! He is famous and does not even know it!
That is my wonderful hubby on the right! I of course am taking the picture so I am never in the picture ! 
And in closing - this is what happens after too much sweets, too much activity, and entirely too much of the in-laws (just kidding) - but if you think this is bad - you should have seen my face! 
Isn't he still cute as a button though??
OK, now if we can just survive Christmas with the family.....
(1 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Nov. 23, 2005
What happens when you are the boy born after 2 girls
Last night I called the children to the table to eat supper and this is what the girls sent Bradley in:
a dress, yes it is! At least he has a hat to go with it!
Guess, they sometimes desire a little sister instead of a little brother??
Maybe we need to stress the whole Thankful for what you have issue more tomorrow?? 
(5 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Nov. 18, 2005
Friday Finally!
Whew! I am sooooo glad its Friday! We have had a good school week actually, but we have done so much this week! We (the girls and I) sat down this afternoon, and I read the entire Dear America, The Journal of Elizabeth Barker: a pilgrim in 1609. Wow! We cried, we laughed - we ended with a prayer of Thanksgiving for these pilgrims that withstood the first years here in America - what hardships, and we complian about the silliest things. The part of the mother eating worms really grossed the girls out (me too) and then when she died, they were like "Oh, Mommy, how would she survive without her mother?"
They also finished their 2nd pocket of their Life in the New World books. They are coming along, but I think we will only finish one or two more over the weekend and next week - leaving the rest to do next year when we do a more thorough study of US History.
We went to the library and gathered up our books for the next unit - Antarctica - you know - cold weather - we feel like Polar Bears! LOL! We are going to do that along with Christmas this year for a change of pace from the Christmas Around the World unit we have done the last 2 years. This will get our Christmas theme and our Galloping the Globe unit done together.
Carleigh is making great progress with her reading, and spelling!
McKinnley popped up with the definition of a "noun" this evening out of the blue as I was reviewing with Carleigh!
Bradley has learned a new phrase: "Cool - Dude" wonder who taught him that? (hint: dh)
Well, off here now to join my hubby for supper and movie and cuddling on our "date night" at home.
(3 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Nov. 17, 2005
Blogging Addiction
OK, it is official - my husband has declared it! I am addicted to blogging! Worse than that, I am bringing a friend down with me as I go! LOL! My friend Patty is as much of a computer junkie as I am, so I knew if I sent her the link to a few of these blogs, she would get sucked into the whole thing as fast (if not faster) than me! Whahoo!
OK, seriously, a bit about school and home - we are chugging along with our unit on the first Thanksgiving - which I am learning was not really a Thanksgiving, but actually a Harvest Celebration. It is amazing what I don't remember (or never really was taught) about the Pilgrims. (Now - no ugly comments from any public school teachers here - I can blog about what I want) It is interesting to see how different the "history" of certain events are remembered and recorded depending on what side you get your info from. In my opinion, one of the great things about homeschooling - we can see things from every side and not just the side that is recorded in the text book that a particular school uses. Anyway, the girls are loving it - they love the books they are making and are enjoying all the reading time we are having. I just hope we can complete everything I had planned by next week.
Well, better run - busy day tomorrow with library day, Girl Scout nuts to deliver, and wrapping up our 3rd pocket before the weekend hits.
(0 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Nov. 15, 2005
No Means No...or does it?
As I was on my way to the grocery store today with my little guy, we were traveling out through the country side that surrounds my friend's house where my daughters were playing/ taking art. I was talking to him, as I often do when it is just the two of us, otherwise the car would just be too quiet! I was talking about the cows and horses we were seeing. The conversation went something like this:
Me: Did you see the horse?
B: No
Me: What does a horse say?
B: No
Me: Do you see the cow?
B: No
Me: Does a cow say Moo?
B: No
Me: Can you say Moo?
B: No
Me: Can you say "No"
B: No
Me: Did you see that tractor?
B: I saw my tractor (now obviously this is not really his tractor)
Me: Is your tractor at home?
B: No
Ok, I will stop trying. Bet you can't guess what his favorite word is right now?? Followed my "my, or mine" and then "tractor". Gotta love those 2 year old boys! LOL!
(2 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Nov. 14, 2005
History Pockets Started
We started our History Pockets for the first time today! The girls are going to enjoy them I think - they liked the idea of coloring in pictures and making a replica of the Mayflower as school work. Carleigh met with her tutor again today and she has advanced up a level in her readers - yippee! I think we will be having to celebrate that later this week!
I have really struggled today with the schedule though - I feel like we are missing out on lots of "fun" learning b/c we are taking so long doing the stuff that has to be done everyday. Any feedback on how many days you do history/ geography/ science and all? What about math and language arts, do you do them everyday - structured or work them into the units? I still feel like a new homeschooler even though we are several years into this venture - maybe b/c this is McKinnley's first "official" year?
Also, what does everyone else do with their little ones? Today, the girls would have gotten so much more done if Bradley had not been into all their stuff? I feel like all I ever do with him is shuffle him off to play in his room alone. Any tips?
Thanks!
(1 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Nov. 13, 2005
Sunday
Well, it is late in the evening and I am finally done with all my chores of the day. 
I have my week's lessons planned out ( although some of them are loosely done - like history and science). We are going to finish up Mr. Popper's Penguins tomorrow and start on our list of Thanksgiving/ Pilgrim literature I have pulled for this week. I also am going to get the girls started tomorrow on our History Pockets and timeline of the Pilgrim voyage and first year. They are looking forward to the relaxed lessons for the next two weeks. Carleigh will meet with her tutor twice this week and then just once next week before Thanksgiving.
I have to brag on my boy - he has been a slow talker - the DR says that it is b/c his sisters won't ever be quiet and let him talk! 
LOL!
Anyway, today we were coming out of the restraunt after lunch and he had handed dh his cookie so that he could put a penny in the water fountain. Once he turned to get it back, dh thought Bradley had a hold of it and let go before Bradley actually had it in his hand and it dropped on the ground. He looked up at me and shrugged his shoulders a little and said clear as could be " Uh Oh, I drop my cookie". I just about fell over - 6 whole words that we could all understand! yippee! He is just so cute!
Well, I am off - before I fall asleep on my keyboard and I end up with something like this on my blog: gkjbvghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh 
(0 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Nov. 12, 2005
A Busy Weekend
We went today and picked out our floor plan on our new house! Yippee! I am so excited. Of course, we still have to make sure the lot will approve for a septic, but it seems like it will just fine and then make sure we will get the loan OK'ed at the bank. But, I am finally going to have a "real" school/ family room, not just a dining room pretending to be one! LOL!
Hubby and I went out last night to eat dinner while his father watched the kiddos. They had a blast! Of course grandparents are always more fun than dear ol' Mom and Dad! Popcorn, movies, playing all night!
I must get busy planning my next week with school - we are going to study Thanksgiving for next week and Mon-Wed of the following. Then, after Thanksgiving, we will start our study of Christmas Around the World using Galloping the Globe to go by.
Oh, and check out how devonbunny helped me do a few fun things to my blog (like add a link to her blog in my text) . She saved me from frustration and wanting to do this 
to my computer. Now, I will be more like this 
. Thanks!!!
(0 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Nov. 10, 2005
Thursday
Today will be a busy one. We are up and the girls are getting started with their independant work while I do some computer work. Our goal today is to just not get farther behind than we already are! LOL! We have to leave at 11:30 to run a few quick errands and then go to Girl Scouts. Carleigh's troop has their nut order in, so we will be picking those up today and getting them sorted to deliver this weekend. McKinnley's troop is doing a mission project for a needy family and we will be organizing all the donations and seeing what is left to buy for the Christmas box we are preparing. And I am quite happy that Carleigh's tutor is not coming tonight, as I will be exhausted and ready for a quiet house this evening once we get home. Other than all our "chores" of today, there is not much going on. Bradley slept all night in his bed. He came to our room at 6:00 this morning, but I told him he had to go back to sleep, and he did until almost 8:00 which was great - I had time to shower, unload the d/w, drink my coffee, fold some laundry and have a quiet time. Yippee! Well, off to check some math pages McKinnley has done this week and get a few packages wrapped and ready to mail while we are out.
(1 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Nov. 9, 2005
Today is a new day
OK, I had a good night's sleep and now am feeling more like myself Yippee! I am moving slower than usual, but so are the kids. I have to tell this funny story on my sweet McKinnley - 
Well, I must go back a little. When our first daughter lost her first tooth, Mommy was out of town at the annual Homeschool Conference. I always thought we would nix the ole' Tooth Fairy thing like we do the Easter Bunny, Santa, and all. However, my husband had already led on a bit to her (before phoning me out of town) that there was such a thing. So, hence the beginning of the Tooth Fairy saga in our home. Now, with the Tooth Fairy's ..uh... other half missing in action, the TF may have made a big mistake - seeing as at that point there was just the one tooth and all, and the TF was very excited over it - he, I mean, she, I mean, well you know who left $5!!!! When I got home, I reminded the TF that there were ALOT of teeth in that mouth that would come out, and there was at that point a multiplication of 2 to the total number since she had a little sister (McKinnley) that would eventually also lose teeth. So, now back to the present. McKinnley has just lost her 2nd tooth and preceded last night, as is usual now for us when this happens, to write a letter to the TF and enclose it and the tooth in an envelope for the TF. So off everyone went to bed, and the TF made his, I mean her, I mean, well you know who showed up - and like the original dummy that he is, left $3.00 dollars! Some Tooth Fairies just never learn! So, here she comes so excited this morning to tell me that the TF left $3 for this little bitty tooth - at 4:00AM!!! I mumble something in my sleep about possibly pulling my teeth out to help pay for Christmas and then suggest she go back to bed. Her response, "yeah, that is a great idea, maybe she will forget she left $$$ already and come back - I better hide this $3 in my purse". And off she went back to bed and fast asleep as if she never was even awake...course it took me until 5:00 to go back to sleep and little man is a 6:00 riser - so that explains why we are moving slow...now, off to the shower and grocery store - which will possibly provide my next topic for a post! LOL!
(3 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Nov. 8, 2005
My last few days
My heart has been heavy and I have not had the desire to be on the computer until now much. On Friday a very dear friend of my family's lost a 5 month battle to cancer. He was 41 and left 3 children (aged 15 mo to 14 yrs) along with a wife behind. Here are a few links ( the first to an article in our local paper about him and the second is the obituary) that I thought someone reading this might want to see.
He was a Christian, so despite the grief of losing him, we do have the promise that we will be joined again soon. He was a wonderful man, and trusted and served God completely until the end. I would ask that if you think of it, please lift his family (wife - Diane and children, Taylor, Mason, and Jordan) up in prayer in the coming days, weeks, months. I know from when I lost my mother, this is only the beginning of the hard time. Also, pray for those of us that will be helping Diane out with meals, child care, etc - that God would speak through us to her and we would be a comfort to her and her children. I will try to post again in a few days when I am not as heavy - hearted. Thank you for reading this....
(0 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Nov. 5, 2005
7 Things
I got this off of Amy Beth's blog, http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mysmokymtnhomeschool
7 Things I Plan to do before I die:
1. Read the Bible completely through
2. See all my children come to know Christ
3. Take a cruise with my hubby (planned one for 10th anniversary, but decided to work on a new house instead)
4. Complete all my children's scrapbooks for them to take and show their children
5. Complete a scapbook of my mother for my children to have to carry on her memory
6. Go on a short term mission trip
7. Take a photography course (I think pictures are like music in that they reveal the heart of the artist)
7 Things I Can Do:
1. Comfort my little one's boo-boos
2. Knit just about anything
3. Spend too much time on the computer
4. Bake pretty well
5. Stay in the bed until 10 AM on a Sat if the kiddos cooperate
6. Stay up too late at night knitting or scrapbooking if I have had enough caffine (that results in # 5 above - teehee)
7. Remember just about anyone's phone # after I have called it once or twice
7 Things I Can't Do:
1. Keep the laundry caught up!
2. Resist anything chocolate
3. Remain calm in the chaos of this homeschooling house of 5 peolpe every day
4. Figure out html (LOL!)
5. Tell my children to not sleep in my bed when they come crawling in in the night ( after all, how many more times will they do this before they are too old?)
6. Bake a cheesecake - everytime I try it is horrible!
7. All the things I have planned everyday - just never enough hours
7 Things I notice about my husband:
1. He is a Godly man.
2. He loves to help anyone out that he can
3. He is a kid at heart
4. He is not a slacker
5. He is cuter now than when we married (even with his balding head)
6. He is willing to work unreal hours to make sure I am able to be home with our children.
7. He puts up with me ! LOL
7 Things I Say Most Often:
1. I love you.
2. Maybe later
3. You have to finish your school work first
4. Leave your little brother alone
5. Leave your sisters alone
6. Honey, can you stop at the store for me?
7. Can someone let the dog out, let the dog in, or feed the dog. 
7 Books I Wish I Had Written
1. Good Night Moon
2. Scrapbook Sketches
3. Psalms
4. Bringing up Boys
5. The Little House on the Prairie books
6. Guess How Much I Love You
7. The Cat In the Hat
(1 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Nov. 5, 2005
Planning next week
Well, everyone is in the bed (at least the kiddos are) and dh is at work. I am enjoying hearing the hum of the dryer and the quietness of the evening. I am about half way finished with my lesson plans for next week. At least I have the math, handwriting and phonics lessons planned. I will finish up the history and science and extras tomorrow. I love getting it all done on Sat, but today was just so wonderfully warm and sunny (compared to our normal Nov weather) that I just had to go out with the kids and enjoy it, so I will carry over the chore until tomorrow. We worked in the yard raking leaves and then watching the kiddos jump in them - the joys of autumn. Bradley especially loved this part of the day as last year he had just started walking well the end of November, so did not get to participate in the jumping part then. Sure makes for a great way to wear them out! LOL! Tomorrow will be busy with church in the AM and then lunch and rest time. I am not sure what we will have planned for the late afternoon/ evening - family time of some sort. Check back later.
(0 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
Last Page • Next Page
